Power-Generating Vessels Committee to Convene Monday as Lebanon Sinks in Darkness

Prime Minister Najib Miqati will chair on Monday a meeting of the ministerial committee tasked with finding a solution to Lebanon's prolonged electricity crisis at the Grand Serail, local newspapers reported.

“The committee will discuss the technical reports by experts concerning the two companies (a Turkish and an American) that won tenders” to provide Lebanon with electricity through power-generating vessels, Environment Minister Nazem al-Khoury told al-Akhbar newspaper.

However, informed sources told al-Liwaa daily that the session will witness a heated debate as the experts and the technical committee discovered that leasing the vessels is expensive and the cabinet can find other alternatives.

Asked if Miqati had received better offers from other companies, Khoury told al-Akhbar that the PM “has to submit these offers during the committee meeting for discussions.”

Al-Akhbar reported that Miqati is urging the committee to issue its final report to submit it to the cabinet for discussion.

Sources told the newspaper that the PM will submit another report simultaneously to the government, which includes a new offer from a third company that is reportedly expected to save the treasury around $300 million.

The sources said that the cabinet will either re-launch the tenders or adopt Miqati’s proposal.

A ministerial source told al-Liwaa that the committee will not be able to reach a decision as Energy Minister Jebran Bassil has also additional three offers to suggest before the committee.

Lebanon’s lingering electricity crisis has become a burden on citizens after shortages at its power plants whose maximum capacity is less than 1,500 megawatts.

The country’s actual need exceeds 2,300 megawatts.